Cipher-printing system for accounting machines



Feb. 19, 1929.

F. M. CARROLL GIPHER PRINTING SYSTEM FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 11, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Egg@ llllanlllnvlilllllllllli! u w mm. Il w. .2. .Q .wwf

F, M. CARROLL cIxnnR PRINTING sYsTEN Fon ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 11, 1926 4 sheets-sheet 5 lnvgnoz l u FFrED M. CARRO/L i @3115 Gtk/:MW

Feb.19,1929. v 1,702,863

' F. M. CARRCLL CIPHER PRINTING SYSTEM FOR ACCOUNTING lACHI-{ES Filed Nov. 11. 192s. 4 sheets-sheet 4 wvemtoz llllllllllllllllllllll .n`

Patented Feb'. 19, 1929.

y UNITED n YSTATES vPA.

yFraai) M. CARROLL, oEwYoNxEns, NEW YORK, AssrGNonfro THE TABULATINGMA- CHINE COMPANY, or ENpIco'rT, lNav/Yami, A CCRPCRATICN or NEW JERSEY.

CREER-PRINTING SYSTEM ron ACCOUNTING iirAcHINEs;y

Application led November 11, 1926.l Serial No. 147,766.

The invention concerns a printing control system for accounting machines and has for its principal object to provide an improved arrai'igenient for special character printing.

f A more specific object ofthe invention is to provide-for printing certain selected characters in such machines independently of the usual printing control mechanism.

Another object of the invention Aistoprovide for selecting certain characters in such machines for printing independently of the usual printing control system and printing selected ones of vsuch characters simultane-v ouslyV at a. time differing .from the usual printing period of such machines. Another object of-theinvention is to select certain characters for printing by the printing mechanism Which prints other characters.r i

Another obje-ct of the invention is to .select certain characters for printing by the presence orA absence of other characters inv adjacent columns. Y

Anotherobject ofV the invention is to-provide separate control systems Vfor printing ciphers and digits.

Another object of the invention is to provide an independent; control ksystem for cipher printingwhose operation kis governed by the presence of a significant vfigure to the left of the ci her. Another-o )ject of the invention is to pro# vide an independent electrical control system for cipher printing governed inits operation by printing devices `which effect printing'of significantiigures.` A

The invention finds al particular'field of usefulness in machines of the tabnlator and lister types in which certain vWell known difiiculties inherent inthe machine structure and voperation make it desirable to place the printing devices underr a separate ycontrol system for the `printing of ciphers, total marks, asterisks, etc. Machines of these typesy are usually providediwith typecarriers, on which aremounted separatejtypel elements for printing the nine digits .and a cipher and in some cases' special characters such as asterisksk for 'each denominational order Which the .machineV is, toprint. The type carriers are cyclically movable to bring each type successively into printingposition .and printing control mechanism,"which may be controlled either directly from perforated records being analyzed or from .the accumulating devices of the machine, selects an appropriate type for printing in accordance with the data representedv on the records or enteredon the accumulators. The preferred form of theV invention permits the type selection for the digitsv to remain undercontrolof the usual lprinting control system but provides a separate control system for selecting. the cipher and special character type. `This latter control system is not governed in its operation by the record perforat-ions or theV accumulators but by the presence of a digit' or significant figure to the left of the particular column yin* which a- -cipherfor special ycharacter is to be printed.A

Thisv will be clearer from a specific example and it may be 'assumed'.that the number 5008 is to be printed by a printingvbank consist` ing of slx type carriers and that the units columnis. to'be printed bythe type carrier to the extreme right. 'The printing of the cipher in the hundreds column in this case is made dependent on the presence of the 5 in the'thousands column and the printing device of the latter in printing Aduring ythel cycle automatically ysets a control ",'system from which thecipher will be printed later'in the fcycle. The cipher in the tens column has no significant figure in the adjacent'column to the left and its printing is made dependent on theprinting ofthe .first significant figure vto the left which is the 5 in the thousands '.column. The special printing control'system in this casefmust bev extendedthrough the hundreds.v column. vThis is provided Vlfor by. normally4 arranging thev special ciphervcontrol-devices so that each one 'will cause printing of-a cipher if the next higher adjacent one does s0,the arrangement being automatically disabled for a particular column by the printing of a digit or significant figure in that column. Thus, if a significant vfigure isprinted inany lcolumn ciphers will beprinted in al1-columns to the right in which no significant figures occur and no cipher. can be printedto the left ofthefirst significant. figure of a' number.` In the present case in which the printing bank hasv beenassumed to consist'of six printing de-l vices the twozprinting devices corresponding to the two highest .u denominationalorders WillV effectno printing as they havebeen se. selcted forno digit printing by the main control of the machine and "no significant v,figure has 'been printed t0 -the left Of-theml toy TENT foFFlcE. .f f'

select cipher printing. Vliile the cipheiI printing control system is thus set during the active digit printing portion of the inachine cycle it is not rendered elfective until this portion of the cycle is terminated attei' which an operating mechanism operates all printing devices selected `ifor cipher printing si multaneously;

The invention is peculiarly adapted to` l pertains in selecting a digit tor printing to prevent printing ot' a cipher during any cycle in which a digit has been printed by the printing. device. .er manually operated switch is rn'ovided to connect together at will the branches pertaining to adjacent denomi iiiational orders at a point between the two automatic circuit closers. The tie conductor or this switch'contains a circuit closer ali-- tomatically opened when .the printing device oit theL lower denominational order prints a digit. rlhis manual switch makes it possible .to Vconnect any number of adjacent branches in parallel so that their energization will be controlled lor cipher printing by the nearest printing device t the lett which prints a digit.` Thus withV all the manual switches closed. any printing device which prints a digit will automatically set all` ci plier printing Acontrol devices between itseli and the ifiist printingdevice lto the right of itselif which prii'i-ts a digit 'for cipher print ing. This arrangement for printing cipliers in successively lower denominational orders under control ola signilicant;ligure '-.anbe disabled at any point in thebanlc by merely cpe-ning the. proper manually operated switch whereupon the cipher control systeii'i will not lie continued past the open switch. rlliere will he no cipher printing to the lett ol the v.iii "ignilicant ligure olt a number :is: the prin which prints this ligure will automatically open the tie conductor between its owi cipher control branch and that ot lhe nc higher denominational order. The automatic circuit closei's when set by the printing devices remain set until toizfards the end et the cycle and the cipher print- .ing control circuit including all its closed branches is energized momentarily a'lter the digit printing portion ot the cycle whereupon the cipher type are simultaneously se lecied't'or printing on all appropriate type carriers. l Y

,ses

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accon'ipanying drawing which shows a lister equipped with an electrically controlled cipher printing system substantially similar to that just explained although wherever possible"conimon elements have been used :for theseveral circuit closers to consorte inatei'ial'and simpliiyv the wiring. ln the g drawing liig. l is a diagramn'iatic arrangement showing in section the printing drum and cipher control mechanism operated thereby.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the cipher control device to a .larger scale. I

Fi 3 is a fragmentary -view showing the manually operated switchot the cipher cons: trol device in open position.

Fig. l is a detail illustrating a plugging arrangement to permit one ot the cipher control devices to be conected 'to the `'printing magnet.

Fig. is a. section on line cillin'.

6 is a section on line 6-'6 o'l' Fig-2.

Fig. 7 a section on line 7--7v otlig. 2.

llig. 8 is a circuitdiagrain showing the operation and control circuits of themachine.- i

lilig. 9 is a `t'ragineiitary detail illustrating the type selecting operation and showing a goi'tion oi" the mechanism in llig. l to a larger scale,.and-

Fig. 10 is a detail showing parts of thev mechanism in Fig'. l() in another position.

he general operation or the machine may be. understood `from the circuit diagram in t Fig. 8 in which the circuit arrangement to the right in the drawing is substantially a duplicate el that she-wn -i-n my prior AU.` S. Patent .lolGyQTQy filed Nov. 18, 1924i tcrwhich reference should be had for a complete description et the listing mechanism and the operati-:in of these circuits. These features will only be explained in the present su'liicicntly to pern'iit ot a clear uaderstand ing et their relationship with the cipl'ier printing control mechanism. ln 8 Aa source ot energy isshown at 2O 'for encrgizing with a h 2l toi' -disir-oniiecting it from the circo i "i desired. Closure oi' the switch 2lfencrgiz vhe n'iotcr 22 which be gfns1 to ri. but this in itscllf'does not cause leei'l 5j ol the recoriij cards as the card :iii-eed shaft iiaeiietically oliierated uy a one rei'clu-iioii ciu' "'1' a type well lnown in the art which is controlled by tie card feed clutch in not 23. Card feed may be insiiiiii'edby depressing the start key 24 thereby rocking the lever and closing contacts The' l feed cli'itch magnet 23 will then ce ed through a ci'icuit e* from the positive side oit the so l,

rl 'ough switch 2i, w' 27 and 28. faigh' rt contacts 245 a Ll cardffeed relay 29, card feed clutch magnet 23, thence 'f the electric circuits ot 'a machine through stop key contacts 30 nor1nallyclosed, Wire 31 and cam contacts 32 closed at this time thence through wires 33 and 34 back to thenegative side of the source of energy 20. The energization of card feed clutch magnet 28y permits the card feed clutch to engage and feeding of the record cards ensues( The depression of the start key 24 needonly be `instantaneous as the card feed relay 29 which is in series with the card feed clutch 23 energized', closing a stick circuit for the clutch magnet and shunting the start key contacts 26 out of circuit. gardless of the position of the start key24. `The first card in feeding through the vanalyzing brushes'operates theA card levers 4l and 42' causing them to close their re-V spective contacts, these levers being held to close their contacts by the cards in feeding until all the cards are fed out of the de.

livery rack or until a stop card feedsunder the brushes. I The card lever 42 in closing its contacts removes the control` ofthe card feed clutch 23 from the relay 29 and establishes another circuit for 'it extending from the positive, side of the source of energy 2() through' switch 21,'Wires 27 and' 43 to card lever contacts 42 thence through Wire 44, .card feed clutch 23, stopykey conf tacts 30, Wire 3l, contacts 32 and Wires'33 and 34 back tothe negative, side of the source of energy 20. This circuit 'is maintained closed to insure Vcard feed' as long as `the card lever 42v is operated bycards to close its contacts. The establishment of this circuit short circuits the relay 29 releasing its armature and-permitting its'contac'ts to j open. The card feed may be stopped manually bydepressing the stop key 45 opening its contacts 30 Which are inv series with the card feed clutch 23. 'It will be stopped` automatically by -release of the card lever 42, whose contacts are alsoin series with card feed clutch magnet23. The lever 42 may be releasedof course, either by a stop card or when the last card feeds out of the storage rack.

A stack of cards is shown at 5l in position to be fed to the analyzing device which in ihc prcsent'case consists of a conducting block 52 in which are fixed a plurality of analyzing brushes 58 each individuallylengaging a contactingblock 53 connected to a. socket 54 on plug board 55.v The brushes 58 resiliently engage vthecoirtacts 53 `and vmake electrical .contact therewith except' ibrnshes.

The cards then continue tofeed recircuit will be broken by the card lever 41 whenever a record cardis not under the brush energizing circuit is closed intermittentlyby contacts 57v operated by a constantly rotating dent-ated cam 59. The cam 59 is designed to close the contacts'57 sub- When the cards are feeding the v stantially simultaneously with the encoun'-V ,A

.analyzing brushes.

The printingcontrol magnets shown at 62 are connected by the common Wire 34 to the negative side of source of kenergy 20 and 4 also to individual sockets 63 on the plug board v55'. The sockets 63 are each connected to a contact which is adapted to be bridged to a corresponding contact connected Withsockets 61 by bridgingcontacts 67 insulated from each other. and mounted on switch bar 64. The switch bar 64 ,is

operated by a spring 65 and constantly rotating cam 66 to permit bridging between the sockets 61 and 63l during the time when the analyzing brushes 'are searching the `index points from 9 toil on the record cards but to remove the bridge during the yremainder of the cycle. By'properly. plug-V ging between the .sockets 54 and 61 any analyzing brush may be connected'to control any printing magnet 62,l thus permitting fiexibility of operation of the machine. The

brushes 58 on encountering a perforation in a record card make electric contact .with n corresponding blocks k63 and extend the brush energizing circuit traced above to vthe sockets'54 and through suitable `jumpers to the sockets 61 rthence acrossthe switch bar bridging contacts to sockets and through printing magnets 62 and Wire 34 'backv to the negative terminal of source of energy 120. A printing magnet Whose corresponding analyzing brush encounters a perforation'of the card Will therefore be momentarily energized througha `circuit extending through the analyzing brusln which energization of the printing magnet effects printing as will be hereinafter explained'. Printing of any ofthe digits from the record card `will Vbe effected in the manner just described which is substantially similar to the voperationfof the de\f'ioedescribed in my prior patent above referred to. l l

The control of cipher printing is entirely removed from. the analyzing brushes and relegated to special control ydevices shown diagrammatically -in Fig.r8 at 7l to 74,

inclusive, and illustrated in detail in Figs. i'

1 to 7, inclusive. The operation of these devices will first be explained in connection' Withr the circuit diagram in Fig. 8 in order to bring out their cooperation with the several circuits of the machine and they will then be described in detail in connection with the remaining` ligures.

Each of' the control devices 71 to 7d has a contact which may be plugged by suitable plugs and sockets indicated. at 200 to control any prii'itinp,` magnet G2. This peimits a certain amount o't flexibility -in connections although as will appear later physically adjacent control units must be selecte/rl tion of the machine cycle but open during the digit printing` portion olf the cycle. Vlhe purpose of these coi'itacts is to prevent bach circuits through the printing,` magnets which might otherwise be established.through the cipher control units and etl'ect lundesirable printing of digits. Each unit receives an energizing pulse once each cycle during; the

cipher printing period from cani contacts which are connected to a Contact 78 on each unit. The contacts 78 are in parallel with cach other and any of the cipher printing control operations niay originate in connection with any control unit indopend intiy of the status of any other unit. Each unit is provided with additional contacts 7 G' and 77 Which. are each conventionally shown in Fig. 8 as a plurality oit separate contacts electrically connected although in reality they each consist oit a single piece el metal. A shiftable switch lever 7 Jon each unit normally bridges its contacts 7 5, 76 and 77, but is automatically shiftted on any unit ni' se associated printing` device prints a dm to an alternative position in which the. bridges across these contacts are removed and contacts 76 and 7S are bridged. Each controlunit has second shiitable switch li 80 which. may be manually operated to coniiect contact .76 o'l` its own unit to Contact 'T7 ot the adjacent loiver. unit. frs long); af printing' device cc necteil with a parti 'unit does not print a digit its switch 79\reiiiains in the position shovi'i'l in m 8 and the ei'ierggifag pulse applied to tact 78 has .no ctlect as thc circuit is open at this Contact. lt a digit is printed the lever 79 is automatically shitted to its alternative position and the circuit ttor energizing piiilse is continued troni the contact 78 through lever 79 to contact 7G and through manually operated lever SO.) it closed to contact 77 of the adjacent lower control. unit. The operation from here on depends pn the position og the lever 79 of this lower `unit. lt the priiiting;` device associated with the lower unit has printed a digit during the this saine cycle its lever 7 9 has shifted and the circuit torV the energizing pulse is intern rupted at the contact 77 and the shifting` ot the lever 79 ot the unit of the higher unit is of no effect.' it on the other hand the printing)` device associated with the lower unit has not printed a digit and. must print a cipher the circuit will be continued from its contact 77 through its lever 7 9 to contact 76 where it divides one branch extending'` across si itch lever 7 9 to contact 7 and thence to its associated printing` magnet 62 to ell'ect cipher pri nting and the other branch. extending trom Contact 76 acrossv switch lever 8O to contact 77 ott the control unit ot tlie nent lower unit. The operation of the latter unit is then identical with that just exi lained and this unit may either interrupt the branch extending through it at its contact 77 or effect cipher printing by its own prin ting magnet and extend a similar branch to the next lower unit depending on whether or not its lever 79 has been shifted by digit printing. The lever 79 of each unit when shifted in response to digit printing prevents any possibility oit cipher printing.; by

its associated printer duriiiig` the saine cycle by automatically disconnecting` the contact 7 5 from any other conducting'portion of Arhe unit. lllunthei'more all the controlunits ot the higher denominational orders are automatically disconnected from awunit which has printed a digit as the lever 79 in shifting disconnects the Contact 77 through which the only electrical connection to the higher units can be established, from all other coin'iecting portions ot the unit. rl`he switch levers 7 S) are set during that portion ci the cyclo when the ana-ly?.in@` brushes are sr-.archine)` the controlling;` card area covered by the index points 'troni 9 to 1 and remain set until towards the endY ot thecycle when they are reset. The energizing pulse lor cipher printing' is applieiil bv clo- V,c 1 L W Y .l

sure oi tno cain contacts oo alter tiieanalyzino' brushes have cleared. the index points but heitere the levers 7 9 have been reset.

The manually ,pei-ated switch levers '8O permit the cont-acts 7G and 77 et aliacentVv units to be disconnected between any two units and the printing; devices and cipher control devices can thus be splitinlo .separate banks whip e operation both as to digit and cipher printing will be entirely dis inct. lhe mecha al structure and Voperznion .ie controlunsY device is illustrated `in 1 to 10, inclusive. In Figs. 1,779, and

ing mechanism of the type disclosed fr prior patent referred to above is at 101 and consists ot a constantly "rating` cylinder or drum on which are cunt d a plurality of circumferential rows pivotcd type niieinbers 102 oit which only one row is illustrated in the figure. 0rdinarily there will be one row of type meinbers for each analyzing brush of the machine, and as there are usually brushes the drum will contain 45 circumferential rows of type members. Each type member k102 carries a digit printing type 103 which is adapted 'to strike va platen roll 104 when the type member'is rotated about its pivot. A sheet of paper `is fed rvaround the platen roll 104 by paper Vfeed mechanism (not shown) and a printing ribbon 'is unrolled from the storage roll 105 and-rolled onto the receiving roll 106,'beingsuitably vguided in the vicinity of the platen roll by guide 107. A printing member 102 when rotated about its pivot will c-ause its type 103 to strike the ribbon and make animpression of the type on the paper carried by the platen roll. Each type member is provided'with alocking cam 111 to hold it' positively against rotation about its pivot When'it is out of printing position; these cams being rotated once every revolution of the printingr drum by suitable gear trains `not shown. In the nonprinting positions of the type members Y the cylindrical surface of the cam 111 rides under the type member and holds it againstv rotation but onreaching printing position a notch 112 is -presented to the type member y to permit itto be freely rotated if selectedfor printing. The rotation of the type member for printing is effected by a lug 113 1ntegral therewithcooperating with a printing finger 115 having' a hook at its end to engage the lug 113 when the finger is rocked about its pivot, whereupon they impact due to the rotational inertia .of the drum will cause rocking of the type member tok effect printing. The printing nger 115 is normally maintained out of -the path ofl the lugs 113 by a spring 116 (Fig."9) buty may be rocked into the path of these lugs through a rearwardly extending arm 117 coacting with a pivoted lever 118.v vThe lever 118 is biased for clockwise rotation by a spring 132 but is normally held from rotation with the Ispring compressed by the latchflever 121 having a notch 120 which engages an arm against the end of the arm 117;

12S integral With the lever 118 as in Fig. 1.. The lever118 has an integral portion extending in. proximity to. the arm 117 and carrying a pivoted dog 119 resiliently held are selected for printing by .momentary encrgization of the printing controly magnet V62 which attracts its armature 126 and through an extension 125 mounted .thereon forces a call rod 123 to the right. lThis call rod isA suitably supported and guided vin guide members 124 and its movement to the right rocks the latch lever 121 against the action of its spring 122 and releases the arm 128 from the notch 120 in. Alever 121. The lever 118 is thcreupon'rotated clockwise by its spring 132 and the resiliently supported dog 119 snaps under the arm 117 as The type shown in Fig. 9. The lever 118 is provided with a cam surface 133 which lshortlyafter the dog 119 snaps under the arm 117is engaged b va lug 113 on one of the type members an continued movement ofthe printing drnm'cams the lever 118 upward whereuponv notch engages the lug 113 on the properV type member and causes it to rotate about its pivot and effect printing on the paper carriedy by the platen roll '104. The rotation of the printing drumk 101 is synchronized with the passage of record cards past the analyzing brushes so that wheny the magnet 62 .is energized by an index point the type corresponding to this index point. will be selected for printing. After 'the type member has effected printing,y the camming actionbetween the surface 133and the lug 113 of one of theA type members continues, rotating the lever 118 further whereupon the resiliently supported dog 119 .slips from under the 'arm 117 andthe end of the arm 128 is again seated in the notch 120 in the latching lever 121. The arm 117, being released bythe dog 119, the printingfinger 115 is rotated counterclockwise by spring 116 to force its end outof the path of the lugs 113 on thev printing members. The device is'nowin position fora subsequent printing operation. l

4The last -tWo type members -102 have no type members (see Fig. 1) properly positioued behind them to coact with the cam surface`133v and the camming action for these type iseffected by projections'134 on cylinders 135 Which act exactly as the lugs 113 on the type carriers for the other type.

rhe type member for printing ciphers is indicated at 141 and isspaced several points from the last digit type to alloivtimefor the setting of the cipher printing control circuits and mechanisms. A cylindrical member 143 Iwith an extension 142 is also provided for this type member'to coact with the cam surface on lever 118. The printing lfingyer 115, if it selects any digit type for ioo 79 is operated'by member 151 supported in slots 4in a bracket 152 fastened' to the machine frame`153 (see Fig. 9). The member 151 is provided with an extension 155 which engages the surface of a cam shaft 154 forming a pivot for the member 151 at this point. The end of the member 151 overlies the arm 117 of the printing finger and if the latter is rocked to select a digit type during they cycle the member 151 will be rocked about the shaft 154as a ulcrum to set the switch lever 79. The high portion et the shailt 154 is presented'to the projection 155 on member 151 during the entire digit printing portion of a cycle and at any timeY during this portion of a cycle the member 151 may iulcrum about the shaft 154. During the remaining portion ot the cycle the low portion of the shaft -154 is presented to the proj ection 155 and during this time the member 155 slides in its slots in bracket 152 without possibility et fulcruming about the shatt 154. This prevents the switch lever 79 from being operated by the printing of any cipher type or .special mark type which might be placed on the drum. At the end of each cycle any switch lever 7 9 which has been operated during the cycle is returned to normal position by a projection 156 on a constantly rotating shaft 157 which makes one revolution each card cycle.

One of the cipher printing controllers is shown in'detail in Figs. 2 to 7, inclusive and consists of side plates 161 preferably ot insulating material vbetween which its contacts and switch levers are supported. rlhe contacts 75, 76, 77 and 78 are insulated from each other and lie in planes substantially parallel to the' sides 161. The configuration ot these contacts will be clear from Fig. 2 in whichcontacts 75, 7 8 and 77 are indicated by full lines and contact 76 which lies behind them as shown in the figure is indicated by dotted lines. These contacts are all insulated from each other by suitable insulation indicated generally at 148. The contacts 75, 77 and 78 lie in the same plane and are slightly spaced laterally from the contact 76 as may be seen in Fig. 5. The switch lever 79y is pivoted between the sides 161 and is provided with two conducting extensions 163 and 164 insulated 'from each other. In the position shown in Fig'. 2, the lever 79 has been rocked by the member 151 to select cipher printing` and here the conducting extension 164 is 'forced between lips on'the contacts 76 and 78, bridging these contacts to ei'lect cipher printing as eX- plained in connection with Fig. 8. In its alternative or inoperative position, the eX- tension 164 bridges the contacts 76 and 77 and the conducting extension 163 bridges the contacts and 76.

The manually operated switch lever 8O (Figs. `2 and 3) has a conducting extension 165 which at its end 165a is bent back on itself as shown in Fig. 6 causing it to project through an opening 166v in the side 161 and bridge the contact 76 of its own unit to the contact 77 of the adjacent lower unit, the latter contact being bent outwardly at its end as shown in Fig. 6 to entend through a similar opening in the side of its control unit. Adjacent units may be disconnected by rocking the switch lever 8O to the position shown' in F 3 in which the conducting` portion 165 is removed from engagement with the contacts 76 and 77. arm 8O may coact with adjacent units in this manner it is necessary that the units be mounted very close to in Fig. 5 in which two units are illustrated with their sides 161 positioned in slots 162 in the machine vtrame 155.V This closely spaced arrangement incidentallyr properly positions the automatic switch arm 79 'for operation bythe members 151 associated with the different printing lingers. The contacts 78 of each unit are electrically connected as indicated in Fig. 8 and a convenient method oi automatically eii'ecting this connection as soon as the units'are properly positioned in the machine trame is illustrated in Fig. 7 in which each contact member 7 8 is provided with a looped tongue portion extending through an aperture in the unit and engaging a similar looped tongue on the contact 78 of the adjacent units en each side et it.

Any ot the cipher printing control units can be operatively connected to any ot the printing magnets 62 by a suitable plug connection illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. Thema chine A`tranne 153 has an aperture 181 opposite the normal position ot the contacts 75 or each control unit. An insulating .sleeve 162 is located in each aperture through which a plug` 183 connected to one ofthe printing magnets 62 may be inserted to make electric contact. with the contact 7 5. This permits any control unit to control any printing magnet.

A complete operative embodiment of the invention has now been described but it will be understood that the details disclosed are not essential to practice the invention, as many modiiications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. l intend toV be limited therefore only as indicated byv the scope ot the following claims.

Claims:

1. in automatic printing prising a plurality of type and means tor selecting said type for printing during a printing cycle, a plurality o'l' independent control systems for said lirst named means and means `for automatically shitting from one control system to another at a predetermined point in the cycle. Y

2. An automatic printing device compris# ing a plurality or type and means for moving them successively into printing position during a printingcycle, a plurality of independent printing control systems for said type and-means ior automatically shifting from one control system to another' at a predetermined point in the cycle.

3. An automatic printing` device comprising two groups of type, means for selecting the type ot one group tor printing during In order that the switchl each other as shownv llO device com# a portion of a printing cycle and means controlled by the operation of the type of saidv group for selectively calling the type of the other group for printing and eiiecting printing thereby rWhen selected during another portion ofi the cycle.

4. An automatic printing device comprising two groups of type, means for selecting Vthe type of one group and effecting printing thereby during one portion of al printing cycle and means :tor selectively calling the type of the other group for printing during said portion of the cycle and effecting printing thereby when selected during another portion of the cycle.-

5. An automatic printing device comprising two groups of type,'means for selecting the type of one group and effecting printing thereby during one portion. of a printing cycle and means responsive to the printing operation of type of said group for selectively calling` the type of the other group and etectingl printing thereby when selected` during another portion of the cycle.

6. An automatic printing device comprising a plurality of groups of type, a common selecting mechanism for selecting the type of said groups for printing during a cycle, a plurality of control systems for said selecting mechanism and means for automatically shifting from one control system to another at a predetermined point in the cycle.

7. lAn automatic printing device comprising a plurality of groups of type, a common selecting mechanism for selecting the type of said groups for printing during a cycle and a plurality of control systems for said mechanisni one of which is controlled by the operation of the selecting 'mechanism for selecting type of one of said groups. v

8. An automatic printing device compristivo groups of type, a common selectingv mechanism for selecting the type for printing, a control system for said mechanism for governing the selection of thev type of one group and operative during one portion of a printing cycle'and a second control systeni for said mechanism forv governing the selection of the type of the other group operative during another portion of the printingJ cycle.

9. An automatic printing device comprising two groupsof type, a common selecting mechanism for selecting the type for printing, acontrolsystem for said mechanism for governing the selection of the type of' onel group during one portion of a printing' cyclel and a second control system for said mechanism controlled thereby in selecting typel of said group for printing to selectively call type of the other group for printing during another portion of the cycle.

10. An lautomatic printing device comprising two groups of type, means for selectprinting and a control circuit for eachl lof said devices including a circuit controller operated by the device of an adjacent group.

12. An automatic printing device comprising aV plurality of Iserially arranged groups of type, individual electricall operated devices for selecting-the type o each y group for printing, and a control circuit for each of said devices including a circuit controller operated by the device of an adjacent group and a circuit controller operated by its own device in selectin-g a type for printing to render said first named circuit con.- troller inoperative.

, 13. An automatic printing device coniprisin'g a plurality' of serially arrangedy groups of type', individual electrically operated devices for selecting the type o i each group for printing and an independent control circuitfor eachv device, an additional control circuit for each device including a circuit controller operated by the device of an adjacent group in selecting a type for printing and a circuit controller operated by the device ins-electing a type' for printing for vrendering vsaid first named circuit controller inoperative. j

14.-An automatic printing device com-- prising a.y plurality of serially arranged groups of type each divided into a main and a su sidiary sub-group, individual electrically operated devices for selectingv the type of each group for printing, an independent control circuit foreach device for controlling the selection of the type of leach main group and an vadditional control ciruit for each device for controlling the`v selection of the-type of the subsidiary group, said ad'- ditional control circuit including a circuit controller operated by the device of an adjacent group in selecting a type of'its main group for printing to effect printing by a type otv rthe" subsidiary subgroup in the absence of printing lby type of the main sub group.

15. Any automatic yprinting device coinpr-ising a plurality of serially arranged groups of type each divided into a main and a subsidiaryY sub-group, individual electrically operated devi-ces' for selecting the type of'each group for printing, anindependent control circuit for each device for controlling the .selection of the type of each main sub-group and an additional control circuit 'forv each device i'or controlling the selection oit the type of the subsidiary subgroup, said additional control circuit incliuling a circuit controller operated by the device oif :in vadjacent group in selecting a type of its niain group to elliect printing by a type oi the subsidiary group and e circuit controller' operated by the device in select ing a type oi its inain group 'for rendering said lirst nain/ed circuit controller inoperative.

16; An automatic printing device coinprising u. pluralitv orn serially arranged groups of type euch divided into a iii-ain. and a subsidiary sub-group, individual elcctrically operated devices for selecting the type olE each group t'or printing, an independent control circuit or each device l'or controlling the selection oi the type ot its niain sub-group for prii" and an additional control circuit for eri-cli device ,tor controlling the selection of the type ot its subsidiary sub-group, seid additional control circuit comprising tivo branches one including c. circuit controller operated by the r' ice of an adjacent group in selecting ty pe ot its subsidiary subgroup 'for printing and the other including a circuit controller operated by the device o't an adjacent group in selecting type el! n'rain sub-group tor printing.

17. An automatic i' .rinting device coinprising a plurality of serially ari'unged groups of type each divided into a inain and a subsidiary sub-group7 individual electricilly operated devices 'for selecting the type-ol each group for printing, un inde pendent control. circuit for each device for controlling the selection ot the type of its inuin sub-groupdfor printing and an additional control circuit for each device tor controlling the selection ot the type oli its subsidiary sub-group, said additional control circuit comprising two branches one including a circuit controller operated by the device et an adjacent group .in selecting type et its inein sub-group and the other opereted by the device oit an adj ecent group in selecting type oii its subsidiary sub-group and e circuit controller operated by cach device in selecting a type oi' its niain subgroup Jfor rendering both et said circuitcontrollers inoperative.

18. ln an accounting machine a plurelity oli printing devices and a plurality of cipher printing control devices each controlled by one olE said printing devices 'to selectively el'ect cipher printing` on another of said printing devices and ineans for selectively disconnecting each control device 'troni its controlled printing device to perinit of independent printing on cil'lereiit printing devices.

19. Inan accounting machine7 a bank et gr iffozrsesV successively arranged printing devices and a bank o corresponding cipher printing control devices operate-fl vthereby to ell'ect cipher printing to the rightV o'l signiiicant iigures printed bv said printing devices and nieans for spiitt j the banlr o' cipher control devices beter-.en any tivo `devices to peruiit printing` oeiV diliereiit nun'ibers on diliei'ent portions oi-said, printing bank.

2G. .ln an accoiuiting inechine, e. plurality oi" printing devices and a plu 1ity oi cipher printing control devices ope 'Led thereby to cti'ect printing ot ciphers in the absence of digit printing by any o iC said printing devices and ineens ttor selectively connecting any control devi e. 'to any printing device to perinit control oi cipher printing thereon in response to digit printing on any other printing device. v

2l. ln an accoiinting niechine, a plurality ot groups ot type cach consisting of digit type and cipher type, constantly -nioving type carrier for supporting said type, nieans' tor selecting and operating the type et each group 'for printing While the cerrier is in motion and ineens controlled by said itirst nained ineans in response 'to digit printing by oncgroup to etl'cct cipher printing by another group in the absence o'j digitprinting by said last nauied group.

22. ln an accounting niacliine, e plurality ot groups of type each consisting ot digit type and a. cipher type and electrically controlled ineens operated in response to digit printing by one group for selecting` rthe cipher type ot another group for printing in the absence ot said digit printing by said lest nained group.

23. in en accounting niacliine, a` plurality oi'i serially arranged groups or type each consisting oit digit type and a cipher type, electrically controlled nieans 'tor selecting the type olicacli grou) tor printing, a control circuit tor said incaus including a, circuit (ontroiler operated in. response to ciplier type selection on any group to select the cipher type et an adjacent group in the ubsence oi digit printing by said last nained group.

2li.V lu en accounting machine, a plurelity ol serially arranged groups of type each consist-ing oli a digit type end a cipher type, electrically controlled ineensl for selecting the type each group il'or printing, o. ciplier printing control. circuit'tor each et seid ineens inciuring a circuit Vcontroller operated in response to digit printing vby any gro-up to select the cipher typeA 'citan adjacent group. circuit controller geperated in response to cipher type selec i' n 'o .n any group to select the cipher rtyp'epo't an adjacent group. and e circuit controller op.- e 'cited in response to digit printing by: any group to disable the circuit for cipher type selection on that group.

lll() 25. In an accounting machine, a plurality ol electrically controlled printing devices arranged in successive denominational or-v ders and each comprising type for printing digits and a cipher, a control comprising a separate branch for each printing device normally connected in parallel, means operated by each printing device in printing` a digit ior connecting all of said branches pertaining to lower denominational orders than itself to a circuit energizing device for cipher type selection.

2G. In an accounting machine, a plurality of electrically controlled printing devices arranged in successive.denominational orders and each comprising type for printing digits and a cipher, a control circuit comprising a separate branch 'for each printing device normally connected in parallel, means operated by cach printing device in printing a digit for connecting all oi said branches pertaining to lower denominational orders than itself to a circuit energizing device for cipher type selection and removing the paralleling connection for all branches pertaining to higher denomina- 'tional orders than itself.

27. ln an accountingn'iachine, a plurality or' electrically operated printing devices arranged in successive denominational orders and each comprising type for printing digits and a cipher, a control circuit com- .prising a separate branch for each printing device, circuit closers for connecting any adjacent branches in parallel, means operated by each printing device in printing a digit for connecting all serially adjacent branches pertaining to lower denominational orders than itself which are connected in parallel to a circuit energizing device for cipher type selection.

28. A record controlled machine comprising record analyzing means, a cyclically operable printing device including a plurality of type divided into a main and a subsidiary group, means for selecting said type for printing and separate controls for said means for governing selection of the type in the main and subsidiary groups, one only of said controls including the record analyzing means, and means for automatically shifting from one control to the other at a predetermined point in the printing cycle to permit selection of one group only under direct record control.

29. A record controlled machine comprising record analyzing means, a printing device including a plurality of groups of type, each group divided into a main and a vsubsidiary sub-group, individual electromagnetic means for selecting' each group of said type for printing and separate controls for said electro-magnetic means for governing selection of the type in the main and subsidiary sub-groups, the main subgroup contrcl including the record analyzing means and the auxiliary group control including means operated by main subgroup type selection in an adjacent group.

30. A record controlled machine comprising record analyzing means, a printing device including a plurality or groups of type each group including a plurality of significant figure type and a cipher type, an individual electromagnetic device for selecting all type of each group for printing, separate controls for said electromagnetic means for governing the selection oi significant ligure type and the cipher' type, the control for significant figure type selection including the record analyzing means and the cont-rol for cipher type selection including means operated by significant figure type selection in another group.

'In testimony whereof I hereto aliiX my signature.

FRED M. CARROLL. 

